Bilibili Gaming (BLG) confidently defeated Dplus KIA (DK) in the Worlds 2026 quarterfinals, showcasing peak form after an unstable run in the Swiss stage. With this victory, the Chinese squad advances to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the T1 vs. Karmine Corp matchup. For DK, the elimination is a bitter disappointment, as the team went undefeated in the Swiss stage, only to immediately face the strongest opponent from the 3-2 bracket in the playoffs.
The series turned out to be unexpectedly one-sided, although the matches were action-packed from the first minutes. In game one, BLG surprised with unconventional drafts, sending Cassiopeia to the bot lane for Viper and picking Galio for Knight. While DK secured an early gold lead, the turning point was the fight for the Rift Herald. BLG won the teamfight, secured their third dragon and two towers, after which Xun on Naafiri took full control of the game, finishing it with a 20.0 KDA.
Game two followed a similar script: Dplus KIA's early advantage was lost around the 16-minute mark due to mistakes in teamfights. DK acted too hastily, whereas BLG maintained their composure and executed their champions' key abilities much better.
In the decisive third game, DK tried to bounce back by drafting a comfort bot lane of Aphelios and Thresh (Smash and Career) against BLG's meta Lucian and Milio. However, the plan did not work. BLG relied on a proactive mid-jungle duo of Trundle and Ahri, utilizing Lucian's early-game power. Showmaker on Pantheon gave up first blood in the very first minute and could not match Knight's macro game. Despite Smash's attempts to keep the team afloat with his damage, BLG caught Showmaker off guard, secured the Baron, and closed out the series.
Right now, BLG's chances as title contenders are rapidly rising. The team has resolved its communication issues, and Bin is now playing more for the team, allowing Knight and Viper to unlock their full potential. In contrast, DK's young players succumbed to the pressure in crucial moments, though the season overall remains positive for them thanks to their victory at the Esports World Cup and successful performances against top LCK teams.
The final quarterfinal match between T1 and Karmine Corp will start on November 7 at 00:00 EET.
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